Public Sector News

Improving justice through new technology

Justice Minister Damian Green saw how new technology is being used at Maidstone Magistrates' Court to improve the justice system. A demonstration of a video-link system and tablet devices showed how the court is increasing efficiency.

Video-technology is currently used between Maidstone Magistrates' Court and 12 police sites to:

Enable vulnerable and intimidated witnesses to give evidence in a separate location to the defendant;

Save valuable police time as officers give evidence from their local station rather than going to court;

Speed up the court process with hearings taking place via video from the police station or prison.

The use of tablets allows prosecutors to easily navigate their way through case material - saving significant time and money.

Damian Green said:

'Maidstone Magistrates' Court and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are leading the way in delivering swift and efficient justice. They have done a fantastic job implementing video-technology which has helped speed up court cases, made it easier for vulnerable witnesses to give evidence, and delivered savings in time and money.

'I want the justice system to respond more effectively to the needs of victims, witnesses and professionals and what I have seen today is a great example of this being delivered locally.'